6 years
Up to 17,000 labourers (also known as navvies) worked on digging the canal. The project took 6 years to complete – with 54m yards³ (41m³) of earth removed during construction.

How long is the Manchester Ship Canal in miles?

36 mi
Manchester Ship Canal/Length

Manchester Ship Canal, waterway opened in 1894 linking Eastham, Merseyside, Eng., to the city of Manchester. The canal made Manchester accessible to large oceangoing vessels. It is 36 miles (58 km) long, 45–80 feet (14–24 m) wide, and varies in depth from 28 to 30 feet (about 9 m); it has five locks.

Can you take a narrowboat on the Manchester Ship Canal?

N.B. No Hire Boats or Shared Ownership Boats are allowed on the Canal. For Craft transiting to Manchester, please supply details of Air Draught if relevant.

Are Narrowboats allowed on the Manchester Ship Canal?

The Barton Swing Aqueduct is a moveable navigable aqueduct in Barton upon Irwell in Greater Manchester. The swinging action allows large vessels using the Manchester Ship Canal to pass underneath and smaller canal boats to cross over the top. The Barton Swing Aqueduct is the first and only swing aqueduct in the world.

How does Barton Swing Bridge work?

Both bridges are operated from a brick control tower on an island in the centre of the ship canal. When in the open position, the aqueduct and road bridge line up along the length of the island, allowing ships to traverse each side.

Where does the Manchester Ship Canal start and end?

53.4°N 2.6°W The Manchester Ship Canal is a 36-mile-long (58 km) inland waterway in the North West of England linking Manchester to the Irish Sea. Starting at the Mersey Estuary near Liverpool, it generally follows the original routes of the rivers Mersey and Irwell through the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire.

Why choose Mersey Ferries for Your Manchester Ship Canal cruises?

Mersey Ferries’ fascinating Manchester Ship Canal round-trip Cruises sail from Liverpool and Wirral, travel along the captivating Manchester Ship Canal to the historic Latchford Locks and back, giving you the opportunity to experience a round-trip in the same day!

Why is the Salford canal so important to Manchester?

The canal runs for 36 miles from Eastham on the Mersey estuary to Salford in Greater Manchester and it enables ocean-going vessels to navigate their way from the Irish Sea into the industrial heart of Manchester. Coupled with Liverpool which sits on the River Mersey, the canal allowed the North West to become an industrial powerhouse

What is a Manchester Ship Canal cruise (MSCC)?

Mersey Ferries’ Manchester Ship Canal Cruise (MSCC) offers you a full day cruise to remember. Enjoy a fascinating journey along the inland waterway with Mersey Ferries. Skip to contentSkip to menu Cookies – we do not use cookies to store personal information about you, we only use them to improve our website for you.